Larry Summers Opens Harvard Class Acknowledging 'Shame' Over Epstein Contacts, Then Continues Lecture

Harvard professor addresses controversy at start of lecture

A student-recorded clip circulating on X captured Harvard professor Larry Summers beginning a class by acknowledging public criticism over his past communications with Jeffrey Epstein. Summers told students he felt "shame" about his interactions, said he planned to step back from some public activities, and asked for permission to continue with the day’s lesson.

"Some of you may have seen my statement of regret, expressing my shame with respect to what I did in communication with Mr. Epstein and that I’ve said I’m going to step back from public activities for a while — but that I think it’s very important to fulfill my teaching obligations. And so, with your permission, I’m gonna… we’re gonna go forward and talk about the material in the class."

The student who posted the clip captioned it, "POV your Harvard prof opens class by recognizing he’s in the Epstein files," adding two vomiting emojis.

Context and newly public messages

The remarks come after the release of emails from 2018 and 2019 showing Summers sought Jeffrey Epstein’s advice about a woman he was considering dating. Those exchanges occurred years after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor.

In one 2018 message, Summers forwarded an email from the woman and wrote, "Think no response for a while probably appropriate." Epstein replied: "She’s already begining [sic] to sound needy :) nice." The correspondence continued into 2019; one Summers message read, "Tone was not of good feeling. I dint [sic] want to be in a gift giving competition while being the friend without benefits." Epstein’s response included: "Shes smart. making you pay for past errors—ignore the daddy im going to go out with the motorcycle guy, you reacted well.. annoyed shows caring., no whining showed strentgh [sic]."

Summers has publicly described his communications with Epstein as a "misguided decision" and said he was "deeply ashamed." He announced plans to withdraw from some public commitments while continuing to fulfill his teaching responsibilities.

Aftermath

Following the revelations, a spokesperson confirmed Summers stepped down from a paid contributor role at a media outlet. He has also resigned from the OpenAI board of directors. Additionally, a major newspaper has declined to renew his contributor contract.

The video clip continues to circulate on social platforms, highlighting the tension between public accountability and the responsibilities of educators when controversies emerge.